Mustard and Love 18

Fernando stepped into the cellar room. Brett switched on the light, and the room lit up. Fernando’s eyes grew big as he checked out the newest version of an electron microscope, a very nice set of test tubes, an incubator, and other impressively modern equipment.

He turned to Brett. “I didn’t know you have such a nice lab…” his voice trailed off as he realized what Brett held in his hands. “What are you doing with that?” he pointed to the gun Brett had trained on him.

“What do you think I’m doing?” Brett waved the gun toward the far end of the room. “Go on, to the back of the lab.”

Fernando stood rooted to the spot. This had to be a joke. What else could it be? “You can’t be serious. Put that thing away. What’s the joke, anyway?”

Brett held the gun at face height. “Don’t think I won’t use it. I’d rather not hurt you, but if I have to I will. Now go on back.”

Fernando couldn’t believe it. Brett had always been a nice guy, a bit self-centered but agreeable most of the time. This was too much. “This isn’t a joke, is it? Why are you doing this?”

“Shut up and move. I’m losing my patience.”

Fernando decided he’d better do what Brett wanted. Maybe he could talk him out of whatever it was he had planned to do to Fernando. He slowed. “Whatever you want from me, just ask. You don’t have to wave that gun at me.”

Brett did not put the gun down. “Okay then, open the door at the end of the room.”

Fernando didn’t understand. What could Brett possibly want? Brett had plenty more money than he had. Then he remembered their last conversation, where he’d told Brett he’d made a discovery and it had to do with weight control. That had to be it. Brett had always wanted the fast track for himself, fame and money with the least amount of work possible. He wanted Fernando’s research on that mustard plant! What a fool he’d been! He should never have said anything. He opened the door Brett’s gun pointed to and stared into darkness.